The Hilton Santa Clara hotel is a stylish and sophisticated California property boasting an ideal location adjacent to California’s Great America theme park and directly across from the Santa Clara Convention Center. The Hilton Santa Clara is set in an attractive resort-style building just 20 minutes from the San Jose International Airport (SJC).

To reserve your discounted room(s) contact the Hilton directly at (408) 330-0001 or you can reserve online by clicking on the link below

To obtain the special rate use group code TFENC and group name The Fitness Expo- Northern California

The Gracie Kids Worlds has been carefully designed to be a multi-cultural learning experience and to allow children the opportunity to exhibit their skills in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect for fellow participants. This event provides competitors the opportunity to build confidence that will last a lifetime.

One of the greatest attributes of this system is that it provides participants with the opportunity to perform under pressure in a safe and positive setting.

KIDS UNIFORM

A standard WHITE jiu-jitsu gi uniform is required. Patches on the gi are OK.

It is OK to wear rash-guards or t-shirts under the gi uniform.

KIDS SKILL LEVEL

All kids must sign up consistently when signing up for gi and no-gi. For example, if a child is a yellow belt with the gi he must also sign up as a yellow belt in the no-gi competition. You cannot sign up a child for one belt (Yellow) with the gi and another belt (Orange) on the no-gi day.

KIDS POINTS/SUBMISSION

There are no points or advantage points calculated for any positions/moves.

For our kids safety, referees are instructed to stop a match before a full submission is in place. In case of a tap or referee stoppage the match will stop, reset to standing position, restart and continue until the 4 minutes are up.

KIDS MATCH LENGTH

All matches will be 4 minutes.

KIDS MATCH OUTCOME

The children will compete with each other and the best part is, everyone will come out a First Place Winner =)

The Gracie Kids Worlds has been carefully designed to be a multi-cultural learning experience and to allow children the opportunity to exhibit their skills in an atmosphere of cooperation and respect for fellow participants. This event provides competitors the opportunity to build confidence that will last a lifetime.

One of the greatest attributes of this system is that it provides participants with the opportunity to perform under pressure in a safe and positive setting.

KIDS ROUND ROBIN

All brackets will run under a round robin system.

All kids within a bracket will compete against each other. If there is only one child in a bracket, they will be tested in some of their skills.

KIDS ILLEGAL SUBMISSIONS

These submission attempts will result in IMMEDIATE disqualification.

(Just because I will not allow these techniques for the safety of our competitor I still highly recommend you learn how to defend them at your school =)

- Slam from the guard (ALSO when an athlete is lifted up from the ground the referee will stop the match and re-start again from the ground)

- No child should have to tap out. The referee should stop the match before the child’s arm is extended or if he feels that the child might be in danger of tapping. Remember, our goal is to build each child’s confidence and provide a positive atmosphere for them to perform without the pressure of winning and loosing.

- No Bicep Slicer, No Calf Slicer and No Compression Locks of any kind.

- No Scissors Takedown of any kind.

- No Electric Chair Submissions.

- No Twister Submissions.

- No Butt Scooting is allowed in any division. You must either take the opponent down or pull them into the guard.

- Do encourage kids to fight from bad position! Especially if one kid is much better than the other.

- Grabbing with 4 fingers inside the sleeve of the jacket top and inside the pants will be allowed and is OK

**Guard Jumping will NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANY DIVISION!! Guard pulling is OK.

*****The difference between Jumping and Pulling Guard:

Jumping Guard (Illegal Technique) - When a competitor jumps into the guard with both feet off of the ground and is expecting their opponent to "catch" them. Sometimes this is done without the competitor even holding or touching the other competitor. This technique is not allowed in any division under any circumstances!!! This is an extremely dangerous technique that will not be allowed.

Pulling Guard (Legal Technique) - Pulling guard is exactly like it sounds. You are pulling your opponent down to the ground into your guard with at least one foot on the ground. Pulling guard requires one opponent to make contact with the other. A grip must be established on either a sleeve, collar, head, gi top or any part of the competitor prior to pulling their opponent down to the ground into their guard. Sitting to the guard is not permitted. Butt scooting is not permitted. You must attempt to take your opponent to the ground or pull them to the ground. This simulates a real fight. Would you sit to your butt in a real fight?

A standard WHITE jiu-jitsu gi uniform is required. Patches on the gi are OK.

No groin protection (protective cups metal or plastic) are allowed.

POINTS

There are no points or advantage points calculated for any positions/moves.

ADULT MATCH LENGTH

All Matches - 15 min

Finals - no time limit

ADULT MATCH OUTCOME

SUBMISSION

An athlete must submit their opponent within the 15 minute time limit to win the match and advance in the bracket.

ROLLING OR PULLING A COMPETITOR OFF OF THE MAT

*If an athlete is caught in a submission and PURPOSELY pulls their opponent or rolls off of the mat in an attempt to free themselves from the submission, they will be considered submitted and will lose the match.

**If an opponent is countering a submission and they happen to roll off of the mat but are caught in a deep and completely sunk submission (i.e. a heel hook or an armlock and the competitor being caught rolls to counter the submission and happens to end up off of the mat) the referee will reset the position in the center of the ring with the submission INTACT to the submitters liking. The referee will give the person caught in the submission the option to tap out before the match is restarted to give a verbal submission. If the competitor refuses and tap out the match will be restarted with the submission in place.

TIE

In case of a tie neither athlete will advance in the bracket.

*Remember that the essence of Jiu-Jitsu is self defense. If one competitor attacks the entire time they are amazing for doing so. If the opponent defends the entire time and was never submitted, that makes them a great student for surviving and defending themselves well in the name of Jiu-Jitsu. Therefore, in the case of a tie both competitors will be out of the event. They will both survive to fight another day =)

ILLEGAL SUBMISSIONS IN ALL DIVISIONS

These submission attempts will result in IMMEDIATE disqualification.

(Just because I will not allow these techniques for the safety of our competitors I still highly recommend you learn how to defend them at your school =)

- No Slamming from the guard (ALSO when an athlete is lifted up from the ground the referee will stop the match and re-start again from the ground)

*****Slamming is not allowed but if a competitor in the guard is picked up above the waist of the standing competitor the competitor in the guard MUST open their guard and the match will continue. If a competitor is picked up above the standing competitor's waist the referee will assist the standing competitor in safely placing the guard competitor back to the ground.

- No Butt Scooting is allowed in any division. You must either take the opponent down or pull them into the guard.

**Guard Jumping will NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANY DIVISION!! Guard pulling is OK.

*****The difference between Jumping and Pulling Guard:

Jumping Guard (Illegal Technique) - When a competitor jumps into the guard with both feet off of the ground and is expecting their opponent to "catch" them. Sometimes this is done without the competitor even holding or touching the other competitor. This technique is not allowed in any division under any circumstances!!! This is an extremely dangerous technique that will not be allowed.

Pulling Guard (Legal Technique) - Pulling guard is exactly like it sounds. You are pulling your opponent down to the ground into your guard with at least one foot on the ground. Pulling guard requires one opponent to make contact with the other. A grip must be established on either a sleeve, collar, head, gi top or any part of the competitor prior to pulling their opponent down to the ground into their guard. Sitting to the guard is not permitted. Butt scooting is not permitted. You must attempt to take your opponent to the ground or pull them to the ground. This simulates a real fight. Would you sit to your butt in a real fight?

WHITE BELTS (AGES 13 AND UP)

ADULT White Belt ILLEGAL SUBMISSIONS

- No Wrist Lock of any kind.

- No Foot Locks or Straight Ankle Locks or Leg Locks of any kind.

- No Knee Locks or Knee Bars of any kind.

- No Bicep Slicer, No Calf Slicer and No Compression Locks of any kind.

Food will be available from vendors. We highly recommend bringing your own food and plenty of drinks.

Competitors will have free access to the Santa Clara Fitness Expo. Please check out www.TheFitExpo.com for spectator tickets and event info.

Everyone must have an ID at the time of weigh-ins.

All competitors must have the medical release form filled out at check-in.

Competitors may NOT fight in multiple age and weight groups.

Parents/ coaches are not to cheer and scream during childs match. Only if you say general things as "good job kids, way to go, you guys are doing great!" Comments must always be generic and for both competitors and not just one child.

All competitors must wear gear that is both clean and in good condition. Nails must be trimmed and clean.

Any competitors or coaches that show any kind of unsportsmanship like conduct will be disqualified.

All disqualified competitors forfeit their match and registration fee.

Any competitor that tries to intentionally hurt their opponent including, but not limited to, slamming will be disqualified.

Registration fees are non-refundable if a future paypal dispute arises competitor wont be able to compete in any of our events until the dispute is cleared up.

The Gracie Worlds, its staff, and associates are not responsible for any accident, injury or death as a result of the tournament.